It wasn’t long into our Swiss travels before I was introduced to Bircher-Benner Muesli. Known to all as just Bircher Muesli, it’s a staple at every breakfast buffet we’ve seen in Switzerland. In America you can find a version call “overnight oats” that is similar, but it’s not quite the same as a true Bircher Muesli.
Bircher-Benner Muesli was named after Dr. Maximillian Bircher-Benner, a Swiss physician. He “found” it while on a hike with his wife in the southern Swiss Alps in the 1900s. They were evidently given some by a mountain guest house proprietor as a snack and he fell in love. He brought back the idea of this Muesli to his “Vital Force” sanatorium as a central part of what ended up being a vegetarian and mostly raw diet that he fed to his patients in a quest to obtain “maximum healthfulness.”
You might think that cold oatmeal would be disgusting, but you would be wrong. It has the thickness of a pudding, the same graininess as a pear, and a subtle sweetness from the apple and other fruit.
Bircher Muesli (recipe from My Little Gourmet)
- 2 cups rolled oats or oatmeal (you can use quick oats as a time saver or you can use steel cut oats if you crave a much chewier texture)
- 1&3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 c apple juice
- 3 T lemon juice (this keeps the apple from changing colors and keeps it all from being cloyingly sweet)
- 1 apple, grated with peel
- 2 T honey
- 1&1/2 c plain yogurt (Greek is fine here, as is a flavored yogurt if you really don’t like plain)
- dash of cinnamon
- mixture of berries and nuts
The night before mix together the rolled oats, milk, apple juice, and lemon juice. Put it in the fridge and let it soak together. (Let’s say that you have forgotten to do this overnight. Quick oats oatmeal can save you. It only takes 30-40 minutes for this to soak together if you use the quick oats. Just throw it together, pop back down stairs to get ready for the day, and by the time you come up this will be all ready for the next step.)
The next morning add the apple, honey, yogurt, and cinnamon and give it all a good stir. Then fold in the fruit and nuts. Hazelnuts are a popular choice here, but pecans and almonds are delicious. You can use any fruit you want! Bananas, berries, oranges, whatever. And “previously frozen” fruit is great for this if the berries you want aren’t in season.
And it makes a ton! The serving size says 6-8 people, but if you make it as part of a brunch it can easily serve 15 or more. Don’t worry if you don’t finish it today. It will keep for 3-4 days.
And this is only a half portion! It’s wonderfully hardy and always leaves me feeling full for a good long time. I look for it on the breakfast buffet of every hotel we stay at. I even found a variation of it in Copenhagen.
It’s wonderful as a quick-fix breakfast or as a snack in the afternoon.
Bon Appétit!
FAQs
While the preparation is essentially the same, Bircher muesli contains a lot more apples than oats. Overnight oats contain mostly oats with some additional ingredients. What is Bircher muesli made of? The original Bircher muesli recipe contains apples, oats, milk, chopped nuts, and some lemon juice.
Is Bircher muesli good for gut health? ›
Combined with apple and banana, both high in prebiotics, feeding the gut's healthy bacteria, and heart & gut-supporting dietary fibre makes this an excellent breakfast or post-training recovery option for boosting gut-health and immune function.
Why is Bircher muesli called Bircher? ›
In America you can find a version call “overnight oats” that is similar, but it's not quite the same as a true Bircher Muesli. Bircher-Benner Muesli was named after Dr. Maximillian Bircher-Benner, a Swiss physician. He “found” it while on a hike with his wife in the southern Swiss Alps in the 1900s.
Is bircher muesli good for lowering cholesterol? ›
Bircher muesli is a traditional Swiss recipe developed around 1900 by Dr Max Bircher-Benner. It is a moist muesli based on rolled oats soaked usually overnight with fruit and nuts added. Oats contain 'soluble' fibre which helps lower the blood cholesterol level.
How long will bircher muesli keep in the fridge? ›
This is where Bircher muesli comes into its own as it is prepared the night (or several nights) before. It has the bonus of being delicious and nutritious, easily transported, eaten on the go, and (if you have not added fresh fruit other than the apple) can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Which is healthier oatmeal or overnight oats? ›
Overnight oats are the more nutritious option, but that doesn't mean that this meal is for everyone.
Is Birchermüesli high in sugar? ›
Carman's Natural Bircher Muesli has 16.1g sugar per 100g. Alternative: Try buying a brand that is fruit free and unsweetened, and add in some fresh fruit yourself.
Do you eat Birchermüesli hot or cold? ›
While Bircher muesli is traditionally served chilled (a wonderful idea in hot weather), you can easily heat it up as well. If you prefer, just heat it in the microwave before topping with fresh apple.
Can you eat Birchermüesli without soaking? ›
Both. It's just a matter of taste and convenience what you prefer. The long-soak gives an overall softer, mellower result and requires a minimum of planning. The overnight-soaked version may be more digestible, but this largely personal, not necessarily a general rule.
Is bircher muesli anti-inflammatory? ›
Some of the key power ingredients in this recipe are:
Oats also offer high amounts of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties due to their high phenolic acid levels.
Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream.
What is the best oatmeal to lower LDL? ›
If you are looking for the cholesterol-lowering effects, instant oatmeal or quick-cooking oats do the job as well as steel-cut oats or rolled oats. They are still considered to be a whole grain.
Are overnight oats better than muesli? ›
Both options offer unique health benefits and can be part of a balanced and joyful breakfast routine. Oats provide an excellent source of fiber and energy, while muesli adds variety with a mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits that offer both nutritional values.
Which is better oats or muesli? ›
Oats is rich in key nutrients, protein and fibre, but muesli has comparatively higher protein and nutrient due to presence of additional ingredients in it. But unlike oats, muesli also has added sugar which somehow eliminates all the good properties.
What is Bircher muesli made of? ›
Essentially oats soaked in fruit juice, or milk, with nuts and fruit, Bircher muesli has a long history, and enough versions floating around to prove it. The original was created in the early 1900s by Maximilian Bircher-Benner, a Swiss doctor.
What is the difference between Bircher muesli and granola? ›
Granola and muesli have many similarities, including most of their ingredients and health benefits. The main difference is how they're made. Granola is baked and usually contains added sweeteners — such as honey or syrup — along with dried fruits, while muesli is enjoyed raw and sweetened with dried fruits only.
And this is only a half portion! It’s wonderfully hardy and always leaves me feeling full for a good long time. I look for it on the breakfast buffet of every hotel we stay at. I even found a variation of it in Copenhagen.